Vote on improvements to parks, more set Monday

Grandview Heights City Council is expected to vote at its meeting Monday, Feb. 4, to approve $2.2 million in capital improvement projects and equipment purchases for 2013.

The appropriations would include about $1.7 million for improvements to Pierce Field and engineering and design work for upgrades to Wyman Woods park.

The city's sale of bonds last year netted about $2.8 million for the park projects. The remaining money most likely will be used to fund improvements to the municipal pool.

Mayor Ray DeGraw presented details of the park projects and their estimated costs at the Jan. 22 finance committee meeting.

The Pierce Field project will include demolition of three existing buildings and the construction of a new multipurpose structure as well as a new Ox Roast pit, which will remain in the same location as the old one.

The estimated cost for the demolition and building work is $590,000.

The cost of the first lease payment for a new outfield lighting system is $32,000 and utilities relocation is expected to cost about $50,000.

These projects are expected to go to bid in February or March with construction beginning in March or April and being completed in time for the Ox Roast in September.

Other Pierce Field renovations are expected to be completed during summer and fall.

These projects include installing new accessible playground equipment with safety surfacing at an estimated cost of $149,500, and site improvements -- fencing, dugouts, shelter improvements and park amenities -- projected to cost $161,000.

Installing new hard-court pavement and improvements to the irrigation system are expected to have a combined cost of $102,250.

Engineering and design work for Wyman Woods is expected to cost $69,700.

The proposed capital improvements budget also includes an appropriation of $102,500 for street improvements, which would be added to the $250,000 provided by November's levy and included in the 2013 city budget.

The city's street program for this year will include street resurfacing on portions of Burr, Merrick, Glendale, Hope, Mulford and Second avenues and the intersection of Northwest Boulevard and Williams Avenue.

Other projects will include alley repair and resurfacing, miscellaneous curb replacement and paving the entrance to the service yard.

The city also has budgeted $43,000 for engineering plans for Ridge Street, which will be paved by the city of Columbus.

The capital improvements ordinance also includes appropriations to purchase a staff car and Glydescope for the fire department; two police cruisers; a pickup truck for the street department; and two vehicles for the sanitation department.